Rotherham United hope to have unearthed their very own Gus Hamer | OneFootball

Rotherham have brought in two Dutch talents with a similar blueprint to emulate the Gus Hamer situation at Coventry

Rotherham United have opted for a new transfer strategy in their attempt to bounce back from an underwhelming 2024/2025 season – their eyes have averted abroad in an attempt to bring in fresh talent.

Ar’jany Martha and Denzel Hall have both been brought in on three-year deals from Beerschot and Heerenveen respectfully.

Both players were signed for fees, albeit undisclosed, showing a real desire to bring in quality. It also comes with an ulterior motive, with the hope that the Millers can flip their fees paid for profit further down the line.

How Ar’jany Martha and Denzel Hall can transform Rotherham

Hall, 24, and Martha, 21, represent the youthful, attacking, energetic outlook that Matt Hamshaw is attempting to cultivate at a new-look Rotherham United.

Both players were brought in to operate as wing-backs in Hamshaw’s 3-5-2 formation as flying operatives with a strong technical background.

Hall hails from Feyenoord’s illustrious academy, whilst Martha earned his ability from Ajax, arguably the Netherlands’ best academy for producing top talent.

Both players have appeared for their academy clubs in the Eredivisie, with Martha appearing 12 times for Ajax and Hall making a staggering 31 appearances across his previous two clubs.

These players bring in a real creative outlet for Hamshaw to choose from, with their skill and technical upbringing coming to prominence in their first few outings for the Millers.

Albeit, both players have been brought in to improve the Millers and gain a foothold in the division – but an eye will be cast on their future and the lucrative profit that Rotherham can obtain if they can get the best out of their flying Dutchmen.

The transfer blueprint Rotherham can follow

Last season’s Championship Player of the Season, Gustavo Hamer, is a real EFL product who, when brought in by Coventry City back in July 2020, was a relative unknown. Again, from the Feyenoord academy, Hamer made 25 appearances for PEC Zwolle before making the switch to the Championship for around £1.5m.

Hamer went on to be a key player for Coventry as they solidified their place in the Championship and even reached the 2022/23 play-off final. During this run, Hamer scored the winning goal in the play-off semi-final and scored the equalising goal against Luton Town in the final before losing on penalties.

The £1.5m that Coventry paid three seasons prior then looked like a fantastic piece of business when newly promoted Sheffield United acquired Hamer’s services for around £15m.

Albeit this signing wasn’t enough to keep Sheffield United in the Premier League, Hamer was, again, a key player and proved this again last season with his Player of the Season award - Hamer did, though, end up on the losing side in the play-off final again, despite providing an assist.

Not only did Coventry gain around £14m from the profit on the sale of Hamer, but his ability to drive Coventry to the final of the play-offs and solidify their place in the Championship would have significantly increased their income.

Rotherham’s hope for a Coventry City repeat

Hamshaw will be hoping that the gold struck by Coventry with their overseas transfer strategy will be similar for Hamer’s fellow Dutchmen.

These types of deals for Rotherham can be huge in the future, with the players brought in propelling the Millers up the divisions, whilst simultaneously bringing in profit based around the fees that Rotherham have initially paid for their services.

Hamshaw will be hoping that, when looking abroad, this transfer strategy can yield huge rewards both on and off the pitch – as similar to the rewards Coventry reaped with Hamer.